Leucius Charinus wrote:The common notion of the Greek term "
daimon" in antiquity was one's own "
guardian spirit".
And of course '
guardian angel'.
One description I've seen for daimon is 'personified spirit',
daimona, as an abstract concept,
eg.
Eros, which achieved cult status; or
Eusebeia,
a the personified spirit (
daimona) of piety, loyalty, duty and filial respect.
( a perhaps that's how Eusebius got 'his' name)
Leucius Charinus wrote:The Stoics and the Platonists used the term a fair bit.
Here is one example that appears to have been "lifted" by the NT authors:
"Nevertheless he has placed by every man a guardian,
every man's Daimon, to whom he has committed the care of the man,
a guardian who never sleeps, is never deceived.
For to what better and more careful guardian could He have entrusted each of us?
When, then, you have shut the doors and made darkness within,
remember never to say that you are alone, for you are not;
but God is within, and your Daimon is within, and what need
have they of light to see what you are doing?
To this God you ought to swear an oath just as the soldiers do to Caesar. .....
~ Epictetus
Here is what is written at Matthew 6:6 -
6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
To what extent (if any) do you think Matthew lifted this from Epictetus?
Seems likely he did ...
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eta: In ancient Greece daimons/demons were considered divine powers, fates, guardian spirits, or angels, who gave guidance and protection. They scarcely figure in Ancient Greek art or mythology: their presence was felt, rather than seen.
The “Good” demons were referred to as “Eudaimon”, Eudaimonia, or, “Agathodaimon”, noble spirits.
The not so good daimons, resembling the jinns, or genies of Arab folklore, were called “Kakodaimon”, such as the “Keres”, daughters of Nyx (the Goddess of night) and Erebus (the personification of shadows).